Vending apparatus.



No- 826,208. PATENTED JULY 17, 1906.

J. A. WILLIAMS.

VENDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED H0V.29v 1902.

2 SHEETSSHBET 1.

I I I I I I I amvemtozl 1&--, WM WI HRH Prrsns .17., WISHINGTON, 04 5.

PATENTED JULY 17, 1906. J. A. WILLIAMS.

VENDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED novpze. 19oz.

EETS-SHEET 2.

I wherein- 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. WILLIAMS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES SLOT MAOHlNE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPO- RATION OF NEW YORK.

VENDING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 1906.

To all w w??? it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN A. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to improvements in vending apparatus, the advantages of which will be hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the annexed drawings,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the mechanism, the parts being shown in their normal positions with a coin deposited therein; Fig. 2, a similar view, the parts being shown as having been moved forward to a slight extent in the act of delivering a package of gum or. the like Fig. 3, a perspective View of the mechanism, portions thereof be ing broken away to more clearly illustrate the device, two coins being shown in position therein; Fig. 4, a front elevation of the ejector-frame, with certain portions of the mechanism removed; Fig. 5,'a face view of the mechanism, showing the parts in their normal positions ready for the deposit of a coin; Fig. 6, a side elevation of a portion of the mechanism, showing the operation or function of certain parts when an attempt is being made to withdraw a coin or the like by the use of a string; Fig. 7, a perspective view showing the functions of the parts in preventing the withdrawal of a coin by an attached string; Fig. 8, a sectional view on the line A A of Fig. 5; and Fig. 9, a similar View on the line B B of Fig. 8.

The invention in a sense is an improvement upon the mechanisms set forth and claimed in Letters Patent granted to me under date of December 23, 1902, Nos. 716,505, 716,506, and 716,507, and reference is made thereto for the details of construction not herein specifically set forth.

One object of the present invention is to provide a means for preventing the withdrawal of a coin or like token which might operate the machine by a string or other attached device.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 1 vide means whereby two or more packages 1 of goods may be successively delivered, although two coins are both deposited at one and the. same time, the mechanism not being operated between the deposit of each coin, as is necessary in all other machines of which I am aware.

Referring to the drawings, A denotes the operating-shaft, having attached thereto a crank or handle B. (Shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2 and partly in full lines in Fig. 3.) Said shaft finds its bearing in a supporting-frame comprising plates C, D, and E. Any suitable form of supporting-frame may be employed. The plate E is provided with a coin-slot F and a Way or channel G, concentric with the shaft and through which extends a pin or bolt which connects the handle with a disk or plate H. This construction is similar to that shown and described in my aforesaid applications.

An ejector-frame is loosely mounted or swiveled upon the shaft A, said frame com prising side walls I, having shoulders J formed thereon at the upper ends, the side walls be ing connected by a cross -plate K.. The shoulders J are in line with the lower ends of the magazine or channel which holds the goods, and when said frame is rocked pass beneath the magazine and eject the goods from the lower end thereof, as will be clearly un derstood upon an inspection of Fig. 2.

The disk H is formed with an opening or coin-slot which when the parts are in position (shown in Figs. 1 and 3) is in alinement with the coin-slot F, formed in the plate E. The disk H (which is rigidly secured to the crank and operating shaft A) and the other portions of the mechanism which are secured to the shaft may be moved independently of the ejector-frame, the ejector-frame and the shaft with its attached parts being locked together by the deposit of a proper coin. From this it will be seen that until a coin is deposited and is held in proper position between the frame and theoperative parts carried by the shaft the shaft and the parts attached thereto may be oscillated independ ently of the ejector-frame, and consequently no goods will be delivered by the mechanism.

An arm L is pivoted between the side plates I of the ejector-frame, its pivot being above the axial line of the operating-shaft. Said arm is inclined upwardly and extends forward between two wings L, which are secured to the shaft, and over a cam-lever L into a slot or opening L formed in the forward face K of the ejector-frame. The forward end of the arm is cut away, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and rests at such point upon the operating shaft. Said forward end of the arm is sharp, and its point lies in an opening flush with the face of the front plate K of the ejector-frame. A spring L is employed for keeping the forward end of the arm normally depressed. Studs or projections M extend inwardly from the side walls I- of the ejector-frame.

When a coin is deposited, it will assume a position between the studs or projections M, lying flat upon the forward face K of the frame. If the shaft be now rotated, the arm L will be elevated. by the cam L and will impinge against the rear face of the coin. Inasmuch as the coin is held by the studs or projections M, the ejector-frame and the opcrating-shaft will thus be locked together. and upon a further depression of the handle or crank a package of goods will be delivered by the machine.

The construction and operation of the mechanism thus far described are substan tially the same as that shown in the applications aforesaid. Certain other features of the mechanism illustrated in this case are specifically described and claimed in the aforesaid applications and will not be herein further described. These relate to the devices for ejecting spurious coins, glass disks, washers of magnetic material, papier-mfich disks, and the like.

Pivotally mounted upon the upper end of the ejector-frame and. normally lying over the face thereof is a plate N. Said plate is normally pressed down toward the face of the ejector-frame by a spring 0, which encircles the pivot-pin of the plate. The plate is provided with a downwardly-extending arm P,

' which when the parts are in their normal position comes in contact with a stop pin or stud Q, carried by the plate E and extending inwardly through a slot formed in the disk H to a point beneath the arm P. This pin or stud is so positioned that the space left between the plate N and the front face of the ejector-frame is such that a coin or token may readily pass between the same down to its position upon the ejector-frame, where it will properly lock the parts together. A lug or projection R is secured to the front face of the ejector-frame in line with an opening S, formed in the plate N. A pin or lug T is secured to the front face of the plate N to one side of the center thereof at a point slightly above the lower edge of the main body. Said lower edge of the body portion is cut away or beveled, as at U, for a purpose which will presently appear. Slots V are formed in the downwardly-projecting arm P of the plate N, the outer ends of said slots being widened, thus forming inclined or tapering fingers W. As will be seen upon reference to Figs. 8 and 9, the body of metal adjacent to the slots V is upset or indented at each side of the slots, as at X, whereby the metal is forced inwardly and forms a sharp cutting edge which will sever a string or the like which may enter the slots and be drawn back therein.

A pin Y is secured to the disk H and projects inwardly to'a sufficient extent to engage the under face of the plate N and elevate the same to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 when said disk is rotated independently of the ejector-frame.

With the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 1- the machine is ready to be operated. A coin is shown in position, and if the handle be depressed the parts will assume the positions shown in Fig. 2, and when a complete downward movement of the crank or handle is had the package of goods will be thrown out entirely, and immediately this is done the parts are caused to assume their normal positions by the action of a plate a, which carries a cam b at its upper end, said cam acting upon a roller 0, swivelcd between the side walls of the ejector-frame. A spring at is secured to the plate and an arm e, which extends upwardly from the operating-shaft A. (See Fig. 3.)

Should it be attempted to operate the machine by a coin with a string attached to it, then the parts will act in the following manner: It is of course to be understood that the use of the string is for the express purpose of enabling the person to withdraw the coin and again operate the machine with the same coin. It is possible under certain conditions with a proper coin having a string attached to it to operate the machine once; but when it is attempted to withdraw the coin by the string then the string will in most instances pass in between the fin ers W and be cut by the sharp edges which form the walls of the slots. This position is shown in Fig. 7. If,

however, the string should not enter one of the slots, but be drawn up over the face of the plate N, then it will fall upon the pin or lug T, as shown in Fig. 6, which will so cant it that when the coin drops down it will not pass behind the studs or projections M into position where it would lock the parts together. Should the string pass up beneath the plate N, it will come into contact with the beveled edge U and said edge will cut the string, thereby releasing the coin and permitting it to pass down into the machine. As above stated, the pin Q normally holds the plate N away from the face of the ejectorframe, so that a proper coin may pass into position upon the ejector-frame.

Should two coins be placed in the machin without the machine being operated between the deposit of each coin, then the second coin will be held by the pivoted plate N, as shown in Fig. 3. After the first operation of the machine the lowermost coin will be thrown out of position as the first package of goods is delivered. The plate N will, however, retain the uppermost coin until such time as the ejector-frame shall be moved back, when the second coin will drop down into operative position with reference to the studs or projections M, when the machine can be operated a second time. The pivoted plate N has a further function-that is to say, assuming that a person desires to injure or put the machine out of action by forcing in a number of coins, disks, washers, or the like the first coin, washer, or other device may pass down into position with reference to the projections M. The second device, however, will be held by the plate N and will come into contact with the lug or projection R, as indicated in Fig. 3. Said lug is so positioned with relation to the other parts that it forms a gage for the deposited coin, fixing the maximum diameter of a coin which may be forced into the machine. Any coin or disk now deposited will pass over the face of the second coin, elevating the plate N to a certain extent and causing the last coin forced in to be held by the plate. In other words, the majority of the coins or disks will be banked one upon the other under the plate N.

If a device other than a proper coin is first placed in the machine, then there could be no operation of the parts, and the only result accomplished by the depression of the handle would be a rotation of disk H, which would cause the pin Y to come in contact with the rear face of the plate N, lifting the same to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and permitting the discharge of all of the disks, washers, or the like which had been forced into the machine. These will all drop to the bottom of the casing. In other words, the mechanism absolutely clears itself, the wings L passing through the opening in the face of the ejector-frame at the same time the pin Y elevates the plate N, thereby forcing or throwing any disks, washers, or the like ofl of the ejector-frame.

When a coin of proper value is placed in the machine, the pin Y has no action on the pivoted plate. This for the reason that the parts are locked together and the ejectorframe moves with the shaft to which the disk H is attached.

It will thus be seen that the pivoted plate N not only acts to prevent the withdrawal of a coin or token from the machine by the use I of a string, but it also serves the purpose of holding two coins in such position that they may operate the machine successively, and it likewise holds any number of coins, tokens, or the like which may be forced into the machine in such position that they may be readily discharged therefrom when the operating.

handle is depressed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a vending-machine, the combination of an operating shaft an ej ector-frame mounted thereon; a plate pivoted to the upper endof said ejector-frame and overlying a portion of the forward face thereof; and means for forcing said plate downwardly toward the face of the ejectorframe.

2. In a vending-machine, the combination of an operating-shaft; an ejector-frame mounted thereon; means carried by said frame for holding a coin or token in operative position; means operated by the shaft and acting on the coin for locking the shaft and the ejector-frame together; a plate pivoted to the upper end of the ejector-frame and overlying a portion of the forward face thereof; and means for forcing said plate downwardly toward the ejector-frame.

3. In a vending-machine, the combination of an operating-shaft an ejector-frame journaled thereon; means carried by said frame for holding a coin or token in operative position; means operated by the shaft and acting on the coin for locking the shaft and the ejector-frame together; a plate pivotally connected to the upper end of the ejector-frame; a spring for normally holding said plate down toward the ejector-frame; and a pin or lug T mounted upon the outer face of said plate.

4. In a vending-machine, the combination of, an operating shaft; an ejector-frame mounted thereon; means carried by said frame for holding a coin or token in operative position; means operated by the shaft and acting on the coin for locking the shaft and the ejector-frame together; a plate pivotally connected to the upper end of the ejectorframe; a spring for forcing said plate downwardly toward the face of the ejectorframe; and a series of fingers IN extending outwardly from said plate toward the face of the ej ector-frame.

5. In a vending-machine, the combination of an operating-shaft; an ejector-frame mounted thereon; means carried by said frame for holding a coin or token in operative position an arm pivoted to said frame and extending to a point in rear of the coin; means carried by the shaft for elevating the forward end of said arm; a plate N pivotally connected to the upper end of the ejector-frame; a spring for depressing said plate; an arm P extending downwardly from said plate; and a series of fingers formed upon said arm, the adjacent edges of said fingers being sharpened, substantially as described.

6. In a vending-machine, the combination of an operating-shaft; an ejector-frame mounted thereon; means carried by said frame for holding a coin or token in operative position; means operated by the shaft and acting on the coin for locking the shaft and the ejector-frame together; a disk secured to the shaft at one side of the ejector-frame, said disk having a slot formed therein in line with the forward face of the ejector-frame; a plate pivotally connected to the upper end of the ejector-frame; and fingers extending from said plate into the path of travel of a coin or token which may be passed through the slot in the disk.

7. In a vending-machine the combination of an operating-shaft; an ejector-frame mounted thereon; means carried by said frame for holding a coin or token in operative position; means operated by the shaft and acting on the coin for locking the shaft and the ejector-frame together; a plate N pivotally connected to the upper end of the ejectorframe; a spring for normally depressing said plate; means to limit the downward movement of said plate toward the ejector-frame; a disk secured to the shaft; a pin extending 1 inwardly from said disk, said pin acting on the under face of said plate and elevating the same when the shaft and disk are rotated independently of the ejector-frame.

8. In a vending-machine, the combination of an operating shaft; an ejector frame mounted thereon; means for locking said shaft and frame together through the agency of a deposited coin or token; a plate N pivotally connected to the upper end of the ejectorframe; a spring for normally depressing said plate; a lug or projection R extending outwardly from the ejector-frame in line with an opening formed in the plate N; an arm P extending downwardly from said plate N; a series of fingers extending outwardly from said arm, the adjacent edges of said fingers being sharpened; and a pin T extending out wardly from-the face of the plate N substantially as described.

9. In a vending-machine, the combination of an operating-shaft; an ejector-frame mounted thereon; means for locking said shaft and frame together through the agency of a deposited coin or token; a plate N pivotally mounted upon the upper end of the ejector frame; a spring for depressing said plate; means for limiting the downward movement of said plate; a lug or proj ection R extending outwardly from the face of the ejector-frame in line with an opening formed in the plate N the lower edge of said plate being beveled or sharpened; an arm P extending downwardly from said plate; a series of pointed fingers W extending outwardly from said arm toward the ejectorframe, the adjacent edges of said fingers being sharpened substantially as described;

and a pin T extending outwardly from the plate 1.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN A. WILLIAMS. Witnesses:

H. O. RowLEY, F. J. MAsTERsoN. 

